Inspectors from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue have scored yet another significant victory in the fight against tobacco smuggling at Athens International Airport, "Eleftherios Venizelos," by timely preventing the import and distribution of a large quantity of contraband cigarettes into the Greek market.
Specifically, AADE inspectors, with the assistance of the specially trained tobacco detection dog, VANE, located and seized a total of 414,900 contraband cigarettes.
The tobacco products were hidden in the luggage of eleven passengers who had arrived in Athens on flights from Ethiopia and Egypt. All eleven were immediately arrested and brought before the competent prosecutor.
The contraband cigarettes, of dubious quality, were intended for sale on the domestic market, posing a risk to public health, with the evaded customs duties and taxes amounting to85,000 euros.
This significant success is part of a broader and systematic action plan by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) to combat smuggling. Its results are also reflected in KPMG’s recent pan-European report on illicit tobacco products, according to which Greece emerges as the “leader” among the 27 member states of the European Union, recording—for the second consecutive year—the largest decrease in the consumption of illicit cigarettes.
Specifically, in 2025, the consumption of illicit tobacco products in our country decreased by 3.4 percentage points compared to 2024, while losses in public revenue from evaded taxes and duties were reduced by 108 million euros.
“This is a significant recognition of our long-term strategy to combat smuggling. However, there is no room for complacency. We are continuing our inspections at the country’s entry points with undiminished intensity in order to secure public revenue, protect fair competition, and, above all, safeguard public health,” stated AADE AdministratorGeorge Pitsilis.